TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Tariff talks between Taiwan and the US were likely to have a positive outcome, a prominent business leader said Friday after a meeting with Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君).

Over the past few months, Cheng traveled to Washington several times for tariff talks with Trump administration officials. The most recent US tariff for Taiwan imports was set at 20%, with Taiwan aiming to see a lower level.

General Chamber of Commerce Chair Hsu Shu-po (許舒博) said the smile he had seen on Cheng’s face during a meeting Thursday signaled good news about the tariffs was likely to emerge soon, per CNA. He said he was excepting furniture and pharmaceutical products to receive most-favored-nation treatment.

Hsu told reporters the result of the tariff talks would be slightly better than expected. He called on the government to announce the new tariffs as soon as possible to allow business to respond by adjusting their production and employment levels.

The business leader also thanked the government for approving a NT$80 billion (US$2.6 billion) package to help the economy withstand the impact of the tariffs. The passage of the resilience measures showed that cooperation between government and opposition had a positive impact on the economy, Hsu said.